Mets make minor deal …

The Mets just picked up reliever Brian Stokes from Tampa Bay this afternoon for cash considerations. He was added to the MetsÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ 40-man roster, which is currently at 36.

Stokes, 28, appeared in 59 games for the Rays, which was fourth in the American League among rookie relievers. His numbers were a Guillermo Mota-like 2-7 with a 7.07 ERA, and in 62 1/3 innings gave up 49 runs on 90 hits and 25 walks.

Stokes is currently pitching for Mexicali in the Mexican Winter League, where he is 3-3 with three saves and a 4.30 ERA in 12 appearances.

John Delcos enters his third season covering the Mets for The Journal News after eight seasons on the Yankees beat. Prior to coming to New York, John covered the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians.

Ah, yes, this was just what I was expecting. I hope Willie is planning on being fired real soon…. I can see the posts next May: Why did Willie bring in Heilmann for the 33rd day in a row. Well at least Omar knows equal talent. Mota/whatever this guy’s name is. Think the Wilpons will have a bobblehead day for him. We are quickly becoming the Pittsburgh Pirates of the large market teams. They have bobbleheads every weekend they are home. That and fireworks nights keeps the team afloat. No need to win, just have bobbleheads.

PS to JD: Why is the 40 man so low? Is the system that bereft of talent that we can’t even fill the 40 man before Rule 5 draft day?

Keith: Can you blame the Post for its coverage. We now belong on the funnies page!

Bye bye Garza: MLB reports he’s going to the Rays. So while Omar spent sleepless nights working on the major deal for the pen finding a pitcher wirh numbers worse than Mota’s , the Rays and Twins were putting together a minor swap of Garza and others for Young and others.

You go OMAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The numbers of decent players is dwindling rapidly and none are coming to Shea/Citi.

Maybe they picked up something in his delivery that they thought they could fix. If they can’t then DFA him or trade him for someone they can fix. Low risk…...so why not. If they can fix him, they look like geniuses. It worked for Ollie, sometimes these things work out.

Dg It is worth the sarcasm and derision. OMAR the lousy has wasted another spot on the 40 man roster. I guess this guy was in such demand Omar couldn’t wait another week or so. i understand the Met roster isn’t for prospects.

The D’rays wanted to make more room on their 40 man roster to protect some minor leaguers from the upcoming rule V draft. The Mets have 5 openings on their 40 man roster and could snag the guy for nothing but cash.

If he turns out better then Omar looks like a genius, if he continues to suck then he just gets released and it didnt cost anyone to get him.

He still has 4 spots on the 40 man roster. There are really only 2 of those spots on the 25, so why get mad at this trade. With the new CBA adding a year of protection from the rule 5 draft, there are no prospects that had to be added to protect them. I guess some of you are upset that the spot isn’t open for Brian Lawrence. It’s not like Omar was going to convince dotel or chacon to sign with the mets to pitch in New Orleans. Bottom line is, if he doesn’t perform at AAA, he’ll be dropped by midseason. Plus, doing a little favor for a team that you might deal with at midseason never hurts.

Ski: Filling the 40 man isn’t important a week before the Rule 5 draft. That is the only time its critical. Maybe we’ll lose our best prospect at another position like we did at catcher last year. Anyone defending the management of thos club really is just looking for free tickets from the soon to be fired GM. Just think, Winter of 08 on ESPN the OMAR/Steverino shhow. How to build and then destroy a franchise in a couple years. Watch it. I guess you’re glad ski that we gave away our only catching hope last year. A gift to Acta for his time served maybe?

Seriously if we don’t have anybody worth protecting next week then we really really really are in deep trouble.

sloppy, there are a couple guys who will get protected. Muniz will stay on the 40 man when he could be outrighted for instance. But the core of the Mets prospects are all quite young right now, other than the ones on the 40 man already. And thats no something to get worried over, they’ll become top prospects next year if they take the next step.

With the extra year before Rule V there arent that many players who will become eligable and be worthwhile to pick up anymore, imo. If they cant get on the 40 man in that many years, they’re basically up as prospects.